Feeling the IronMan Blues.........
358
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1215 days
triNick posted 2 years ago.
Maria,
I've heard it's a common thing and can verify that it can actually happen. I experienced it on and off a few days here and there after doing IM Brazil but my friend had it really bad. He was out of it for about 2 months and still has issues fully trying to get back into a routhing still and IM Brazil was at the end of May.
Before IMB I had scheduled some other tri's so I would have something to do the rest of the summer. My friend Tim did not and I thing that was part of his problem. For me it was something that motivated me and got me out of my slump, it kept me going. I had a reason to somewhat continue the routine event though these were only sprint and olympic distance tri's. For him, it was easy to just say, I'll go do something tommorrow. What also helped myself and the other people that went to Brazil was hanging out with tri buddies. We didn't even have to workout with them, just being around them, seeing them work hard on their season kept most of us upbeat.
My suggestion would be if you don't have other tri's to do this year, find another physical activity to do for several weeks. The grind of the same routine gets boring. I know, I just finished my season which started this past Nov. and I really don't want to go ride a bike or run again for a week or two. The other thing I would suggest it to not be afraid to talk to someone about your feelings, it's quite normal, especially when reflecting on your accomplishments for the year.
Congrats!!! Iron_Girl on your accomplishment of finishing and beconing an Ironman.
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1362 days
RV posted 2 years ago.
Ya, to a degree, I am having a difficulty with gearing up motivation for any big workouts. We focused so hard for a year and then achieved our goal, I guess there is a natural let-down. I am just working out right now as I feel like. Pretty much everyday, but just nice short workouts. My focus is an upcoming marathon in a few weeks. So making sure I keep up on the run.
After that I am looking forward to a bit of down time and then add in some other activities. Tho, I am working on my ATP for next year.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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1199 days
kicker posted 2 years ago.
I am notorius for taking time off after a big race. Its gotten to the point now that I enjoy it, and then I'm stoked when I do start training again. After my first mary, I took a month off, after my first IM, I took 5 weeks off. It was nice! Its all how you look at it.
211
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1380 days
Scout posted 2 years ago.
I came to triathlon 2 yrs ago from a distance runner background. I would sometimes feel that way after my marathons and it always helped to have another race scheduled.
This past season my "A" races were two half IM's. I was fine after the first. I took a little bit of down time and then geared back up for the next one. But after the excitement of the second one (last wkend) wore off I felt very weird and out of sorts. I have a fabulous coach. I discovered early on that I needed help balancing the 3 disciplines. I thought I could just keep up my high mileage running and just add in the swimming and biking...NOT a good idea...But anyway, I contacted my coach about the way I was feeling. This is the first fall in years that I haven't competed in a marathon! She firmly reminded me that I need time to just be "unfocused"....Hmmm...what a concept! it reinforces to me the need to train in cycles. She pointed out that I have a long season scheduled for 2007 and my first IM on tap for 2008. It would all be hitting the fan soon enough! Mentally and physically I need this unfocused time to rebuild and rejuvenate...I look forward to each and every workout I do, but right now they are just lighter and that is ok!
My husband is really enjoying this time in my training. Not only does he get more attention...I am also getting a boatload of work and repairs done around the house! A very wonderful triathlete friend of mine refers to this as my "home maintanance" phase of training...LOL
Our two oldest have left the nest, but our 15 yr old daughter is home and I coach her cross country team. I put a LOT of energy into the program...We work hard and we play hard...It's great!
With 6 more wks left to the XC season, that is another perfect outlet for me...
Maria, your IM journey has been such an inspiration to me...If you want to exchange e-mails about the blues and training and racing or anything! let me know...I'll be 50 in a couple of wks and we seem to have lots in common!
Remember, these periods of rest and recovery are as significant to our conditioning and race performance as the most intense workouts. You are awesome!
214
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971 days
Iron Man posted 2 years ago.
Iron_girl i feel your pain we are exercise junkies. I often get blue after an "A" race particularly and IM. It seems like part of your life is over, i find the key is to focus down the road at the next IM or HIM, however the body needs to recover. I feel even worse when i cant train, Ive got the injury blues at the minute but i just envision myself running out of the surf or on the bike or running through the pack!
Speed Kills. Strength Punishes
748
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1362 days
Star posted 2 years ago.
I think its normal to have the blues when something in your life changes drastically. In this case, we're used to training 6 days a week, usually with a tight schedule. When that comes to a screeching stop, our mind says "What are you doing? You're supposed to be swimming, biking, running, lifting, stretching, eating...." Its difficult to slow down. When I take a month off over the holidays I feel like a big fat slob...but I know I really need the recovery time.
After IM last July, I had a 1/2IM in late October. Unfortunatley, I didn't take enough time off, and that was my worse race ever! I struggled mentally and physically to get through it. (Those races are good too....well, at least once you make it through the race).
Take time to recover, and do something fun. I plan to buy rollerblades and play tennis with my husband during my recovery month. Start making plans for next season...or trying something challenging and different for the off season. Hang in there!
"I'm more fun than an iPod!"
My blog: http://star.trifuel.net
:( Well, dear friends, this has gotten a hold of me, no question about it. Sheeeeeesh!!!!!!! Is anybody going through the same thing? I mean, I don't know if this only strikes us who had just finished our first IronMan or if this is a thing that all IronMan finishers go through. I have reflected on the past year and it is amazing that, after hours and hours of blood, sweat and tears to prepare for this race, it is over in a heartbeat.
I have started to go back to my old routine. I still get up at 3:30 am. to get my husband's lunch and breakfast ready and packed and then, after he leaves at around 4:15am. I am here at home telling myself that I really don't have to go to the Y at all this early, that I should just relax, have some coffee, maybe a slice of cake and go later on, if at all.
But I can't:eek: So I get ready and I am out the door, I get to the pool or to the gym and just do what I have been doing for the past year. I just can't sit at home and do nothing until my grandkids arrive, I need this, real bad and, once I am done, then I come home, I am happy, I am smiling and I am ready to do battle with this toddlers for the next 4-5 hours.
Any of you IronMan out there going through the same withdrawal symtoms? Just curious.
Maria
"Far better is to dare mighty things, to win glorious Triumph, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spiritis who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not Victory nor defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt.